Since i last visited the Old Cathay Building watching the "Pretty Woman" by Julia Roberts here, it has really been ages.

And i really liked it here.

At Cathay Building, it gave you the feeling of real movie-going where we could be reminiscent of how we used to go to a movie house instead of those cinema chains that mushrooms in almost every Shopping Mall now.

Mamma Mia! opens with a simple and transparent plot, yet an ebullient, fast-paced musical packed with ABBA’s feel-good anthems that capture the vibe of the whole movie. Breath-taking scenery from romantic Greece sets the scene.

As ardent fans of ABBA, the Swedish ’70s supergroup, this movie offers us gratifying moments with its joyous singing, dancing and comedic acts. Never a dull instantaneous with their chorus of ABBA Hits.

Inspired by the passion and love of life of the movie, it energized and cheers you up instantly. And it certainly does release our inner “Dancing Queen” as we tap our feets to the rhyme of the melodies.

As this was our 1st visit of Jr, we approached the service counter and ordered their recommended Portobello Mushroom Burger Combo ($12.80) that comes with Fries and free-flow drink.

The soft bun of our palm-sized burger was sufficient to be shared between us. Their Charbroiled beef patty was comparable, or even the same thing as what we usually get from Burger King fast food outlets but at half the price there.

Its distinct merit lies in its spread of Portobello Mushroom.

We had exchanged our Fries with their Onion Rings.

Battered lightly with real Onion slices within, it was possibly the best of all fast food joints. And i could still smell my breath of Onions even after my many tries of washing it down with our iced Lemon Tea.

Saturday, September 27, 2008

I've got almost the whole Saturday to myself as Ric was busy with work - yes, up to his ears.

Washing, cleaning, gardening, reading, tele-viewing and cooking. A repeat telecasts program of the benefits of eating Garlic showed up as i was channel-surfing.

Highlighting its beneficial effect of relieving the body from fatigue, treatment of disease and maintenance of health. Dates back to ancient civilization of Egypt, Garlic was a "performance enhancing" agent feed to slaves for the building of the pyramids.

And with mum craving for spaghetti noodles, i had immediately images of creating the dish with loads of chopped Garlic and Basil leaves from our garden.

Thursday, September 25, 2008

She was in fact not any relatives of our family, but was closer and more concerned about us than most of our real blood relatives. For this, she well-deserved our sending her off today.

Having lost all family members in the bombing of the Japanese Occupation, she had embraced Grandma who has been kind to her, like sisters; taking our families as her own. She had then have a big family of her own with successful children and offspring of delightful grandchildren.

The news of her demise came as a shocking and sad news to us on the night of 22nd; she had passed on on the 21st, lung cancer of the 3rd stage that was diagnosed only during her last 2 weeks - her sufferings was short.

See you in heaven, Aunt Gan.And may you now rest in peace.

Thank you for remembering us. We too remember you and loved you, but never had the chance to let you know.

Never forgetting your continual kindness to our families, especially to our sickly grandma. Your doting us with sweets and toys in our younger days was my fondest memory of you. A thank you was never enough for your kindest thoughts and loving heart.

Friday, September 19, 2008

Perhaps the most pathetic sized piece of chicken leg i've ever been served in Clarity Cafe? The mushroom and potato fricassee was on the other hand plentiful, in an effort to make up for the short-charged.

Dues to its smaller size, the edges of the chicken drumstick was charry dry by the roasting process. This is so disappointing. The ones here can never compare with that of their Katong's outlet.

Beef Stew with Pasta ($12.80+)

No complaints with the stew, the slowly simmered boneless beef was all soft and juicy. Serving portion was generous too, and we had our choice of either rice, bread or pasta to go with the stew.

It was understood that all Miss Clarity branches are under different managements. The one here at Purvis was undoubtedly a let down.

From its sulking supervisors to un-chilled green salad; we would not subject ourselves through such ordeal again.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

I guess stall no. 01-15 at Amoy Street Food Centre is the only stall selling this food stuff now. We called it "Dou Kee" in Hokkien. It is actually seasoned Fish meat minced into paste with flour, wrapped in Bean Curd skin and deep fried. It was a memorable childhood snack we used to get for 20 cents/per piece from my primary school tuckshop; i had it almost everyday :)

A savory snack that goes well with either rice, porridge or noodle soup. We used to have it together with Yong Tou Foo noodles from the same stall, but managed by their old mother.

So if you are also missing this, you could get your constant supply from Amoy now. $6 for a 10 pieces take-away.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

We see them everywhere; even as a child we knew them. In insignificant places, by the roadsides, pedestrian bridges, flyovers, beside lamp posts and bus stops, they flowered and withered unnoticed.

Upon closer look, these little flowers too reveal much beauty.

As my primary school teacher once pointed out to us, the actual flower of the plant is small and generally white, but each cluster of three flowers is surrounded by 3 or 6 colored leaves, which can comes in pink, magenta, purple, red, orange, white, or yellow.

It's an all year blooming plant, especially thriving in these weeks of blowing hot and cold (rain) climate.

This was the beautiful sight i chanced upon my way home today - a bed of violet blossom in the evening sun.

Saturday, September 13, 2008

We have been visiting Little Bali when it was just a basic and modest Bali island-styled bar that gradually grew to today's vast expansion of luscious garden dining restaurant. Its unique ambience makes you forget instantly, that you are still in urban Singapore. Greenery in abundance with chic Bali arts decor, complete with the playing of traditional Balinese music in the background.

And this had always been the concept they had worked on since day 1 in business.

The dimly lighted garden dining area is ideal for business clients and courting couples. Great efforts had gone into setting up this perfectly relaxed and romantic, Dine & Wine environment.

As we settled down for wine'ing, we could not help being tantalised by the whiff of nice smelling aroma of food. It's making us hungry and we simply have to change our drinking option to one of dining also.

Everything was served warm and tasted wonderful, especially the Seafood items.

Wolf Blass Cabernet Sauvignon ($42++)

Of its wide selection of beers, wines, exotic cocktails and spirits, this is our usual fare of their smoothing house pour; one sip is enough to totally unlock my thoughts and relaxed me almost immediately :))

One grouses though - their seating policy. When you come in small groups of 2, you would be assigned rather uncomfortable corner seats and be denial of your choice seating.

Customers had even been asked to shift tables to make way for the bigger group that comes in - this is a big taboo.

Generous serving of Chicken pieces in sweet Teriyaki sauce for Ric. But, we feel its Chicken Katsu still fares better.

It's strange huh, that students here might be dying to get out of the boring hostel while we kept running here for makan. We love its tranquil surroundings. I enjoyed especially strolling in the cool evening breezes after meals here :)

You may request for a leaner portion but that defeat the purposes of eating trotters right? We are on a fatty quest :)
Oh, and for fats that simply melts in the mouth; i couldn't quit this. Couldn't resist mixing my rice with spoonfuls of the rich and oil-laden black soy gravy - helplessly sinful!